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4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
4:4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
4:5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,
4:6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.
4:7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,
4:9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
4:14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
4:17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
4:18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
4:19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
4:20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
4:21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.
4:23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them.
4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
4:25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
4:26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
4:27 For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.
4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
4:30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
4:34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
4:35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
4:36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
4:37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

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Everything King James Bible:Acts

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Acts
Book: Acts
Chapter: 4

Overview:
Peter and John imprisoned. (1-4) The apostles boldly testify
to Christ. (5-14) Peter and John refuse to be silenced. (15-22)
The believers unite in Prayer and praise. (23-31) The holy
Charity of the Christians. (32-37)

1-4 The apostles preached through Jesus the resurrection from
the dead. It includes all the happiness of the future state;
this they preached through Jesus Christ, to be had through him
only. Miserable is their case, to whom the Glory of Christ's
kingdom is a grief; for since the Glory of that kingdom is
Everlasting, their grief will be Everlasting also. The harmless
and useful servants of Christ, like the apostles, have often
been troubled for their work of Faith and labour of Love, when
wicked men have escaped. And to this Day instances are not
wanting, in which reading the Scriptures, social Prayer, and
religious Conversation meet with frowns and checks. But if we
obey the precepts of Christ, he will support us.

5-14 Peter being filled with the Holy Ghost, would have all to
understand, that the Miracle had been wrought By the name, or
power, of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, whom they had
crucified; and this confirmed their Testimony to his
resurrection from the dead, which proved him to be the Messiah.
These rulers must either be saved By that Jesus whom they had
crucified, or they must perish for ever. The name of Jesus is
given to men of every Age and nation, as that whereby alone
believers are saved from the wrath to come. But when
Covetousness, pride, or any corrupt Passion, rules within, men
shut their eyes, and close their hearts, in Enmity against the
Light; considering all as ignorant and unlearned, who desire to
know nothing in comparison with Christ crucified. And the
followers of Christ should act So that all who converse with
them, may take knowledge that they have been with Jesus. That
makes them holy, heavenly, spiritual, and cheerful, and raises
them above this world.

15-22 All the care of the rulers is, that the doctrine of
Christ spread not among the people, yet they cannot say it is
false or dangerous, or of any ill tendency; and they are ashamed
to own the true reason; that it testifies against their
hypocrisy, wickedness, and tyranny. Those who know how to Put a
just value upon Christ's promises, know how to Put just contempt
upon the world's threatenings. The apostles look with concern On
perishing souls, and know they cannot escape eternal ruin but By
Jesus Christ, therefore they are Faithful in warning, and
showing the right way. None will enjoy peace of mind, nor act
uprightly, till they have learned to guide their conduct By the
fixed standard of Truth, and not By the shifting opinions and
fancies of men. Especially beware of a vain attempt to serve two
masters, God and the world; the End will be, you can serve
neither fully.

23-31 Christ's followers do best in company, provided it is
their own company. It encourages God's servants, both in doing
work, and suffering work, that they serve the God who made all
things, and therefore has the disposal of all events; and the
Scriptures must be fulfilled. Jesus was anointed to be a
Saviour, therefore it was determined he should be a Sacrifice,
to make Atonement for Sin. But Sin is not the less evil for
God's bringing good out of it. In threatening times, our care
should not be So much that troubles may be prevented, as that we
may go On with cheerfulness and courage in our work and duty.
They do not pray, Lord let us go away from our work, now that it
is become dangerous, but, Lord, give us thy Grace to go On
stedfastly in our work, and not to fear the Face of Man. Those
who desire Divine aid and encouragement, may depend upon having
them, and they ought to go forth, and go On, in the strength of
the Lord God. God gave a sign of acceptance of their prayers.
The place was shaken, that their Faith might be established and
unshaken. God gave them greater Degrees of his Spirit; and they
were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever; By which
they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the Word of
God with boldness. When they find the Lord God help them By his
Spirit, they know they shall not be confounded, Isa 1.7.

32-37 The disciples loved one another. This was the blessed
Fruit of Christ's dying precept to his disciples, and his dying
Prayer for them. Thus it was then, and it will be So again, when
the Spirit shall be poured upon us from On high. The doctrine
preached was the Resurrection of Christ; a matter of fact, which
being duly explained, was a summary of all the duties,
privileges, and comforts of Christians. There were evident
fruits of Christ's Grace in all they said and did. They were
dead to this world. This was a great evidence of the Grace of
God in them. They did not take away others' property, but they
were indifferent to it. They did not Call it their own; because
they had, in Affection, forsaken all for Christ, and were
expecting to be stripped of all for cleaving to him. No marvel
that they were of one Heart and soul, when they sat So loose to
the wealth of this world. In effect, they had all things common;
for there was not any among them who lacked, care was taken for
their supply. The Money was laid at the apostles' feet. Great
care ought to be taken in the distribution of public Charity,
that it be given to such as have need, such as are not able to
procure a maintenance for themselves; those who are reduced to
want for Well-doing, and for the Testimony of a good Conscience,
ought to be provided for. Here is one in particular mentioned,
remarkable for this generous Charity; it was Barnabas. As one
designed to be a preacher of the Gospel, he disentangled himself
from the affairs of this Life. When such dispositions prevail,
and are exercised according to the circumstances of the times,
the Testimony will have very great power upon others.

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